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World's smallest Donkey Kong cabinet delivers authentic arcade experience for tiny fingers (video)
This, friends, is a work of art. Above is a stunning, fully-functional recreation of the original Donkey Kong arcade cabinet -- and it's only 8.25 inches tall. The accomplished modder Bender posted his handiwork on the Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum and it's sure to wow even the most cynical of folks. At the heart of this build is a hacked up GamePark GP2X Wiz running MAME, but it's the attention to detail, including the printed vinyl decals and light-up marquee, that really pull this (supposedly world's smallest) 1/8 scale project together. Check out the gallery below and the pair of lengthy demo videos after the break. En garde Mr. Heck! %Gallery-122811% [Thanks, Brian]
GamePark's GP2X Caanoo handheld hits this August, picks up where the Wiz left off (video)
While we're not sure just how we missed it, it seems GamePark was at E3 2010 in force, with a brand-new Linux gaming portable called the Caanoo. Though it's got the same 533MHz ARM9 processor as its wizardly predecessor, GamePark's doubled the memory to 128MB, and added a dedicated 3D GPU to power the larger 3.5-inch touchscreen. Throwback Sega-like buttons and a joystick take the place of those touchy D-pads, and there's new accelerometer and vibration functions for a modicum of enhanced control. When you're not loading open-source games, the system supports the usual array of photos and music as well as DivX, XviD and MPEG4 videos, and the company claims an official SDK and app store are on the way if you want to roll additional software yourself. Shame you'll have to use a WiFi dongle to download anything. The company expects to ship August 15 for $150 to importers like Play-Asia, making it viable competition for the lumbering Pandora. Find videos of the Caanoo in action after the break, and more at GamePark's official Facebook page.
GP2X gaming handheld modded with D-pad, PSP batteries (video)
These days, it's the Pandora making waves in the world of handheld emulation, but GamePark's GP2X could arguably be credited with starting the whole phenomenon. John Grayson recently decided that the original simply wasn't keeping up with the times, however, and decided to swap out a joystick for a more traditional D-pad. Moreover, he yanked those weak AA batteries and shoehorned a pair of PSP Li-ion cells in there instead, boosting his SNES play time to just over four hours on a full charge. Thankfully for you, neither tweak seems all that difficult to implement, and the sub-10 minute clip waiting after the break does a rather outstanding job of giving you the play-by-play. So yeah, scram!
GamePark GP2X Wiz gaming handheld now available, for real
There's been a few false starts, and some newfound competition from upstart Pandora, but it looks like GamePark's GP2X Wiz gaming handheld is now finally, officially available. As promised earlier, it'll set you back a fairly reasonable $179, which'll get you a 533MHz ARM9 processor-based handheld that's capable of running a handful of official games and a whole boatload of unofficial games, not to mention some applications from the app store that's slated for launch this summer. All set to add one more handheld to your collection? Then hit up the link below to get your order in.[Thanks, Conrad]
GamePark Wiz app store coming this summer
We heard murmurings of a possible app store for GamePark's Wiz open source handheld back when we first laid our hands on it, but now it's officially on its way. GamePark Holdings' awesomely-named Game Contents Open Store is now set to open in August, allowing all users to produce and download homebrewed apps and games for the Wiz. The SDK is currently in development, and there aren't any further details beyond that, but we'll keep our eyes peeled for you.
GamePark Wiz hands-on from Engadget Spanish
We've already seen early pictures and heard a release date for GamePark's newest handheld -- the Wiz -- but now Engadget Spanish has gotten their hands and eyes all over the device, and they've brought back photos to prove it. As you can see from the pics, the portable console will be offered with more than one style of casing, and apparently the company is setting up some type of App Store-like service which will allow users to purchase and download software, as well as share their own homebrew apps. According to our team, it looks like that October 8th street date will be pushed back till sometime in November due to issues with the right control pad (which GamePark is working to correct). Until then, you can just feast your eyes on the gallery below.%Gallery-30998%
Pandora finally (finally!) gets a ship date and price
Be still our hearts! After months upon months (upon months) of waiting, the tight-knit team behind the ultra-potent Pandora gaming handheld has finally divulged the information we've been clamoring for: the ARM Cortex A8-powered device will begin shipping before Christmas 2008 for £199.99 in the UK. The first batch will consist of 3,000 units, and the team is hoping that all of those will be sold out before the first one leaves the dock. There's no word on how costly it'll be for Americans, though we're crossing our fingers that it'll sell for a few bucks less than the $360 we find when simply converting pounds to dollars. [Thanks, Andri]
Gampark's GP2X Wiz handheld now available
We caught a glimpse of GamePark's new Wiz GP2X / GP3X handheld a month or so back, and the homebrew-friendly black-and-red unit is now available. $179 of your American dollars is all it takes to enjoy the 2.8-inch QVGA OLED screen, 533MHz ARM9 processor, 64MB of RAM, 16GB of flash, and 5 hour battery life -- not to mention a Flash 7 player, MPEG4, xViD and DivX compatibility and new games scheduled to hit every month. Dynamism say these'll start shipping on October 8th -- anyone throwing down?[Thanks, Craig]Read - DCEmuRead - Dynamism
GamePark's GP3X leaked in spy shots, called the 'Wiz'
Apparently, a leaked shot of GamePark's next iteration of the GP2X -- the GP3X (not to be confused with the Pandora project) -- has gone and gotten itself leaked onto the interblogs. According to a post on GP2X News, the new system (which is being called the "Wiz") isn't set in stone, but will contain some form of a system-on-a-chip, and apparently will allow GP2X emulators to run after a bit of recompiling. There's not a whole lot of information available right now, but we'll keep you posted -- in the meantime, enjoy the photo.[Via GP2X News]
Bluetooth a confirmed addition to Pandora
Not much else to say beyond the title of this one -- MWeston has recently confirmed over at the GP32X boards that Bluetooth will indeed be included on the forthcoming Pandora mega-emulator. He noted that BT was added because of an exceptional deal they landed and to "make competing devices look that much less interesting." Right, so what exactly is this bundle of awesomeness competing against exactly? [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
How would you change GamePark's GP2X F-200 handheld?
Alright, so we know there aren't hordes of you out there currently possessing one of GamePark's GP2X F-200 handhelds, but we have absolutely no doubts that the owners that do exist are mighty vocal about their diminutive emulation powerhouse. When the unit was reviewed recently over at Ars Technica, critics found an awful lot to love, but it's not like the admittedly hefty, battery-eating, mildly unsightly unit was flawless or anything. Sure, we know the hardcore emulation geeks out there are likely turning their attention to the forthcoming Pandora, but that's not to say the F-200 can't handle a good talking-to from its loyal followers. Go on, put away that unconditional adoration for just a moment and tell the world how this thing actually could be improved upon -- we're sure there's something that grinds the gears.
GamePark's GP2X F-200 handheld gets reviewed
We know, most of you even remotely interested in the F-200 either already own one (and you're playing it right now, aren't you? Don't lie.) or are waiting intently for the Pandora. Nevertheless, the cats over at Ars Technica managed to wrap their paws around the GP2X F-200 and give it the full review treatment -- needless to say, impressions were (fairly) positive. Immediately recognized as a "hybrid of Sony's PSP and the Nintendo DS," the gaming handheld possessed a bright, clear LCD, somewhat "tinny" speakers and the ability to chew through batteries without shame. Still, aside from a few minor niggles, the critics found it to be "well worth the $170 price tag for the emulation capabilities alone." Hit up the read link for the entire review, but don't even bother if you're looking for excuses to hold off.
GamePark's GP2X F-200 handheld ships
We've drooled all over GamePark's GP2X F-200 handheld in the past, and it looks like the company is finally ready to let us have one of our very own -- the touchscreen Linux-based handheld emulation monster is shipping right on time for $169. Features include SDHC support, improved 8-way D-pad, the 320 x 240 QVGA touchscreen, and all the other features that's made the original F-100 model so popular. Hit the read link to get hacking.[Via DCEmu]
GamePark's GP2X F-200 gets a price, release date
We had already heard rumblings that GamePark's updated GP2X F-200 handheld would be coming in October, but it looks like that date is now official, as is the price, which TrustedReviews reports will be £125 (or about $250). The big update with this incarnation of the handheld is a new touchscreen display, which is unfortunately one of the few things we weren't able to test when we got our hands on the device earlier this month. Other upgrades over the existing F-100 model include support for SDHC format memory cards, giving you up to 32GB of storage (though that won't come cheap), as well as a new and improved 16-way d-pad. Otherwise, the device is the same Linux-based, game-emulating handheld that's managed to attract a dedicated following, some of whom have even gone so far as to try to build their own.
Hands-on with GamePark's GP2X F-200
Confessions up front: we're pretty hot for any device that sports some sort of console emulator, so when faced with GamePark Holding's GP2X, which currently boasts of SNES, NES, Genesis, MAME and quite a few other gems, it's a little difficult to rein in the enthusiasm. That said, the new F-200 could use just a little bit of slimming -- you have to really mean it if you're going to carry this thing around instead of your PSP or DS. Otherwise we found the unit to be quite comfortable to hold and use, responsive enough in the OS department, and completely packed to the gills with features. Video playback is sluggish, but games loaded and performed quite well. We weren't able to test the F-200's new touchscreen, which is the only upgrade of the device over the existing F-100, but apparently it will be implemented as a mouse controller for developers to do whatever they want with the Linux device. And trust us, they will.%Gallery-6753%
The 2006 Engadget Awards: Vote for Game Console of the Year
Now's your chance to cast your ballot for the 2006 Game Console of the Year! Our Engadget Awards nominees are listed below, and you've got until 11.59PM EST on Monday, April 16th to file your vote. You can only vote once, so make it count, and may the best tech win! The nominees: Nintendo DS Lite, Nintendo Wii, Sony PlayStation 3, and Gamepark GP2X MK2. %Poll-312%
Game Park is dead, long live Game Park Holdings
When Game Park, creators of the GP32, split into Game Park and Game Park Holdings we all knew it would be a fight to the death. The market for niche portable gaming handhelds built by South Korean companies with the words "game" and "park" in their title is only so large, y'know? Something had to give. About one year after we brought you news of Game Park's GP32 successors, the XGP and XGP Mini, and just six months after showing off their sure-to-be-a-hit XGP kids handheld, Game Park has filed for bankruptcy.Want to check out what Game Park was all about at their official website? Too bad. It redirects to a shoe site now. The bloody Game Park console wars of 2006 are over; those of you who watched with eager anticipation, cheering on either Game Park or Game Park Holdings, can now begin the long and painful healing process. You can start by checking out Game Park Holding's GP2X: it's South Korean, has "game" and "park" in the title, and even has the letters X, G, and P in its handheld name. We think everything's gonna be okay after all ... [Via PSP Fanboy]
GamePark goes under, GamePark Holdings still kickin'
Word's been a little slow reaching our shores, but it appears that GamePark couldn't stand up to the competition from its GamePark Holdings spin-off, with the former company recently declaring bankruptcy and its website now ignominiously replaced by a shoe store. For those in need of a quick primer, GamePark is the company that brought us the original GP32 (pictured above) and, more recently, announced a number of different XGP handhelds. GamePark Holdings, on the other hand, emerged as a separate company after an apparent spat among GamePark employees about the direction of the company. Those that chose to defect quickly got their act together and delivered the more-popular GP2X device, presumably to the dismay of GamePark proper. While they don't appear to have made any comment on this latest development, we can only assume they're feeling a little bit vindicated, and no doubt celebrated with a bit of homebrew champagne.[Via PSP Fanboy]
A competitor falls: the end of Game Park [Update 1]
Like many gamers I've always had the desire to own every console that hits the market. Unfortunately I never owned a Game Park. I always admired the fact that despited not really having big developer support, the system found a fanbase because of its homebrew scene. The systems success also was probably helped by the fact that the Korean gaming platform didn't have a lot of competition. Until 2002 Japanese electronics were banned from Korea. The increase of competition also came with a system (PSP) that was more than capable of doing homebrew perfectly, making importing a handheld with a homebrew bent less attractive. Now Pockett is reporting that Game Park has declared bankruptcy and their once proud gaming site is replaced by one that sells shoes. You can probably still pick up one of the many Game Park system variations, but it doesn't reduce the sadness of one less player in the games industry. [Via Insert Credit] [Update 1: Corrected formatting and link source. We apologize to Pockett.]
Handheld history reveals PSP's slim figure [Update 1]
Joystiq, the attention-craving parent site to PSP Fanboy, recently compared the sizes of history's greatest handhelds. When looking at the handhelds in size order, one can see that the PSP sits smack in the middle. Game Boy micro: 5.6 cubic inches Game Boy Advance SP: 9.81 cubic inches DS Lite: 12.96 cubic inches Wonderswan: 13.33 cubic inches Wonderswan Color: 14.1 cubic inches Wonderswan Crystals: 14.68 cubic inches Neo Geo Pocket Color: 17.35 cubic inches Sony PSP: 17.52 cubic inches Game Boy Advance: 17.64 cubic inches GP2X: 19.61 cubic inches DS Phat: 22.01 cubic inches Game Boy: 26.39 cubic inches Gamepark 32: 26.83 cubic inches Sega Nomad: 49.36 cubic inches Game Gear: 50.86 cubic inches Atari Lynx: 68.53 cubic inches We should be thankful that the PSP is no monstrosity like the Game Gear... Then again, I did love my Game Gear (pictured).[Thanks, Zebulunite!][Update 1: Whoa, how did that HTML glitch happen? It totally wasn't like that when I typed it. Anyways, fixed.]
